MIAA Coaches Poll Released; Season Starts Next Weekend in So Cal

1/23/2026 1:31:00 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason rankings for the 2026 softball season. Pittsburg State was tabbed the favorite to take home this season's regular season title by MIAA head coaches.

Four different teams received a first-place vote in the 2026 MIAA softball preseason coaches poll, led by the Pitt State Gorillas with 10 first-place selections and 141 points. Pittsburg State was the runner-up in the 2025 regular season with an MIAA record of 18-6 and was one of four MIAA teams to advance to the NCAA postseason.

Central Oklahoma, the league's defending regular season and tournament championship was picked second in the coaches poll with 125 points and one first-place selection. The Bronchos owned a league record of 20-4 and 52-11 overall last season. The squad went on to claim the 2025 NCAA Central Region Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Missouri Southern was picked third by MIAA head coaches with 116 points and one first-place vote. Rogers State finished fourth in the poll with 111 points and the remaining first-place selection. Central Missouri concluded the coaches' top five picked with 101 points.

UNK picked up 43 points after going 23-27 (9-15 MIAA) in 2025. The Lopers welcome back four of its top five hitters, including two-time All-MIAA pick Mary Chvatal (Wahoo), and three of its top four pitchers. That trio is Jerzie Schindler (Central City), Kalli Ulven (Blair) and Daniella Morillas (Newcastle, Calif.). Finally, the newcomers are three freshmen and four transfer.

The Lopers start the 2026 season next weekend in California with the Concordia Kickoff Classic. Concordia-Irvine is the host with UNK playing five games over three days.

The 2025 NCAA Division II softball season officially begins a week from today on Friday, January 30, with MIAA doubleheaders beginning March 20. The 2026 MIAA Softball Championship is scheduled for May 6-10 at Emporia State's Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

To view the 2026 schedules for all 13 MIAA softball programs, visit theMIAA.com/softball.

2026 MIAA SOFTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 141 points
2. Central Oklahoma [1] – 125 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 116 points
4. Rogers State [1] – 111 points
5. Central Missouri – 101 points
6. Washburn – 96 points
7. Missouri Western – 84 points
8. Emporia State – 65 points
9. Northwest Missouri – 49 points
10. Fort Hays State – 45 points
11. Nebraska Kearney – 43 points
12. Northeastern State – 26 points
13. Newman – 12 points
[#] - First Place Votes

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